Rectangular coordinate registering circuit



May 1, 1956 F. K. Low 2,744,245

RECTANGULAR COORDINATE REGISTERING CIRCUIT Original Filed Jan. 7, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet l D/AL SOURCE' /m/E/v TOR K. LOW

AGENT May 1, 195e F. K. LOW 2,744,245

RECTANGULAR COORDINATE REGISTERING CIRCUIT Original Filed Jan. 7, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 May 1, 1956 F. K. LOW

RECTANGULAR COORDINATE REGISTERING CIRCUIT Original Filed Jan. 7, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 May l, 1956 F. K. Low

RECTNGULAR COORDINATE REGISTERING CIRCUIT 4 Sheets-Shea?I 4 Original Filed Jan. 7, 195.0

AGFNT United States Patent C RECTANGULAR COQRDINATE REGISTERlNG CIRCUIT Frank K. Low, Orange, N. J., assignor to Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated, New York, N. Y., a corporation ot New York riginal application January 7, 1950, Serial No. 137,323, now Patent No. 2,623,114, dated December 23, i952. Divided and this application February 16, 1952, Serial No. 271,911

2 Claims. (Cl. 340-165) This is a division of my application Serial No. 137,323, :tiled `lanuary 7, i956 for Pulse Counting and Registering Circuit, which was issued on December 23, 4i952 as Patent 2,623,114.

The present invention relates systems and more registering type.

l'n the telephone switching art there are numerous applications of relay circuits for countinfY and registering information such as digits and pulses of a digit. p `esent invention iinds utility in such applications, in addition to others which will be suggested to those skilled in the art of relay circuits.

F or a number of reasons, which will he apparent in subsequent description of a preferred embodiment ci the vention, the characteristics of enclosed magnetic reed type switching elements, having only malte contacts, mane such elements particularly desirable as means whereby inexpensive, simple, rapidly responsive counting and registering circuits may be arranged. Such elements comprise at least two normally separated con"V elements which are enclosed in an envelope which is generally to registering particularly to relay circuits of the lil turn enclosed partly or wholly within an energizing coil, whereby upon the energization or the coil at least contact element will move to maire Contact with tn., other element under the inlluence of the magnetic ield set hy the coil and by any polarizing induence which may he used f desired. Such relays include sealed contacts among their advantages.

As a result of the problem presented of devising counting and registering circuits using relays having only malte contacts, the present invention provides such circuit arrangements v/hich permit the use of such magnetic reed relays as the preferred means to an end. However, as will he appreciated oy those skilled in the art, any relays ol` which only the front or malte contacts are used, may also serve as such means. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to applications where only front or malte contacts are used for it is entirely probable that those skilled in the art, as a result of this disclosure, will inter therefrom similar arrangements which use hack contacts of relays as well as -iront or make contacts with* out going beyond the scope and spirit of the present inveution.

As an exemplary disclosure of the present invention the subsequent detailed description and drawings describe and show a preferred embodiment of the invention as used in a telephone system such as is disclosed in Patent 2,585,004- to A. l. Busch of February i9, i952 und in Patent '.llto l. W. Dehn of November /-i, 1952. rthese systems are cross har automatic systems which use originating register circuits, which are comino-n to calling lines and which are used for transmitting the usual dial tone to a calling subscriber and for receiving, counting, and registering the called number digits dialed by such subscriber'.

The drawings comprising a part of this disclosure show a skelctonized originating register circuit the var- 2,744,245 lie-.tentati May 1, 1956 ious portions of which may he described lows:

Fig. l shows part of the originating register termination of a calling subscrihers line, the relay L(l) of the register which follows line pulses, ott-normal relay ON( l etc.;

Fig. 2 shows a chain of relays arranged for counting the impulses in each digit;

Fig. l shows a group of register relays for registering on a twooutoflive basis as many as eight digits;

Fig. 3 shows a group of steering relays for insuring that successive digits are registered in successive register relay sets, such as the A register, the B register, etc. of Fig. 4; and,

Fig. 5 shows how the other figures to disclose the invention.

The counting circuit arrangement embodied in the llX code prefix detecting and registering circuit in the upper right portion of l, in the counting relay circuit of Fig. 2, and in the steering relay circuit of Fig. 3 is disclosed and claimed in my Patent 2,623,ll4 previously referred to.

A forni of the present invention is embodied in the registering circuit of Fig. 4.

The counting circuit provides a chain circuit arrangement of relays actuated and controlled hy a pulsing conductor upon which impulses are applied from a source of current, each or said relays being arranged in circuits for accomplishing the following functions when operated by an impulse over said pulsing conductor:

(l) each counting relay when operated is arranged to lock under its own control to a ground common to all;

t 2) each counti g relay includes contact means arranged upon the nration of said counting relay to connect the next succeeding relay to said pulsing conductor preparatory to the operation of said next succeeding relay hy the next pulse on said conductor;

(3) each counting relay includes contact means arranged upon the operation of such counting relay to prepare a shunt circuit for the next preceding relay, which shunt is completed hy suitable means at the end or the pulse; and,

(4) each counting relay includes contact means arranged upon the operation of said counting relay to prepare a shunt circuit for the second succeeding relay to prevent the operation of said second succeeding relay While such counting relay is operated.

The counting arrangement further provides means for completing the shunt circuit across said next preceding relay at the end of the pulse, thereby to release said next preceding relay.

The counting arrangement provides, as above outlined, relay circuit means for successively operating one relay at a time along the circuit as an indication of the accumulated count of pulses.

The present invention, as disclosed in an exemplary embodiment, provides a registering relay circuit wherein relays having only malte or front contacts may be used. Each register relay has one side of its winding connected through a current limiting impedance to a first source of potential ot" one magnitude, such as a direct-current voltage, and the other side of its winding connected through another such impedance to a second source of potential of another magnitude, such as ground. Each digit register comprises a plurality of individual relays which are operated on code combination basis to represent particular digit, such as a two-out-of-ve code where ve such relays represent cach digit register group. All the relays of a group have their other winding sides connected in the above fashion to the same second source. Each of the rst, second, third, etc. relays of all groups have their one Winding sides connected to the same rst-rst source,

generally as folrnay be arranged other side of all relays of a particular group and formomentarily applying said first source of potential, say battery, directly to the one side of a combination of first, second, third, etc. relays of all groups. The result is that only that combination of relays will be operated which have applied directly to their windings both sources of potential thereby to increase the current flowing through such windings to the operate value. All other relay will carry increased current due to the application to one side or the other,` but not both, of their windings the respective sources of potential. These latter relays will carry a current greater than'the holding value but less than the operate value and will not operate. At the end of the momentary selective application of said po.- tential ,all relays will revert to a condition whereunder they carry only holding current, which, of course, retains operated only that combination of relays of a group which were operated as above outlined.

The invention above outlined provides a relay register circuit wherein only relays having make contacts may be used.

The principles of the invention will be understood best from the subsequent detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION The present invention is herein described as embodied in an originating register circuit of a cross-bar system of the type disclosed in detail in Patent 2,585,994 to A. I. Busch of February 19, 1952. The present disclosure concerns only certain portions of such an originating register, which portions are disclosed in Patent 2,616,974 to J. W. Dehn of November 4, 1952. The Dehn disclosure is considerably simplified and skeletonized, as cornpared to the complete Busch disclosure, and will afford sucient information upon which one skilled in the art may rely to appreciate the advantages of the present invention as embodied, by example, in such systems.

A general description of some of the functions of an originating register circuit as employed by Busch or Dehn is considered desirable before going into the details of an exemplary disclosure of the present invention. When a calling subscriber initiates a call, common control equipment, termed a marker, is brought into service to interconnect such subscriber with an originating register circuit. This register circuit is arranged to provide the usual dial tone signal to the subscriber as a directive to commence-thedialing of the called number. As the subscriber dials the digit or digits indicative of the desired interconnection the register is arranged to count the pulses in each separate digit, to register each digit separately, and, at the proper time depending upon the type of call indicated by such digit or digits, to seize an idle marker circuit to whichfthecalled digit or digits are transferred along with v other information required by such marker in per forming -the- Yswitching functions rrequired to effect the desired'y connection. When the marker has received all of ,they information registered in the originating register, the,marlrer releases -the register circuit to normal and proceeds ywith subsequent functions of no particular importance in understanding the present invention.

Thei following detailed description, including the abovedescribed drawings forming a part thereof, is confined to the digigcounting digit steering, and digit registering operations performed :by ythe originating vregister prior to thefseizureof; an idle marker for the purpose of corn-v I Thus at. r.tll tinrres4 when Y(such,register relays pleting the desired' connection. All"`circuit operations prior to the seizureofan idleoriginating register and just prior to the seizure by theregister of an idle marker have been omitted as unnecessary, the above Busch and Dehn disclosures providing complete details not shown or described herein.

It has been. mentioned above thatthepresent invention permits the use at strategic points in the originating register circuit of relays which have only make contacts;

and, whereas it is to be'v understoodthatthepresent in-A vention is not limited to any specic type or types of such relays, nevertheless the preferred types of such relays are those disclosed'in Patents.2,l87,115 to W. B. Ellwood and W. H. T. Holden of January` 16,194() and 2,289,830 to W. B. Ellwood of July-14, 1942.V These'latter types of relays are sealed magnetic reed type relays. Where-only one pair of make contacts is required, two magnetic reeds are enclosed in an evacuated glass envelope which is in turn enclosed in an energizing coil. If a plurality of make pairs are required, several vsuch single units ymay be enclosed in a single coil,'etc. preferred for use according to the'presentinventionbecause of their desirable characteristics such as sealed contacts, fast response (approaching that of gas tubes), and relatively low cost. The speed of response, both `as to operation and release, of these 4reed type relays, as will be appreciated, will afford, among other advantages, the

possibility of realizing much higher dial speeds than would be possible with conventional general purpose relays. It is to be repeated, however, that the. present invention is in no way limited to any specific type or types of relays.

DETAiLED DESCRIPTON Seizure of originating register Upon the seizure of an idle originating register by a marker circuit, the oif-normal relay ONU) in the originating register is operated. Relay ONU), upon operating, completes a circuit from ground, over its contact 4, and conductor til to the digit register relay network in Fig. 4. lt will be seen from an inspection of the arrangement shown in Fig. 4 that at this time parallel circuits are completed for permitting current to ow through the windings of all of the register relays A0(4) through H7 (4) inclusive. Ground on conductor le@ is applied through resistance R21(4) to the left side of the windings of the A digit register relays All(4) to A7(4}. Ground on conductor lili) is likewise supplied to the windings of the B, C, D, E, F, G and H digit registers through respective resistancesl22(4) through RZEM). The right sides of the windingsof relays'AllUl), B604), (20(4), etc. and H001) are supplied by battery through resistance R35{4`). Likewise, relays* `Alt4) through Hl(4) are supplied by battery through resistanceRMM), etc. The various resistances, windings, and voltages are arranged such that there is insuicient current flowing in any winding to operate the associated register relay. This current willv be referred lto hereinafter as the holding current.

Relay ONU), upon operating, operates the startirelay ST(2) in the pulse counting circuit of Fig. 2 in a circuit extending from ground, over contact 2 of relay ON(1), contact 5 of the slow-releasing relay SRU), conductor 101, through ,the windingA of lrelay 5":(2), to .battery through resistance RMU), locks over its contact 2, conductor 26d, to ground over Contact 2 of relay ONU). The relay S'l`(2) is the start relay of the pulse counting chain shown in 2 as comprising relays PM2) to Plil) in addition to relay STG). Relay ST(2) is operated and locked, as above, to prepare the counting chain. for the reception of the first pulse of the first digit to be dialed by the calling subscriber.

Relay ONU), upon operating, operates .relay HAU) in a circuit extending from ground, over Contact 2 of relayON(l), contact 2 of relay-SR(`1), winding of relay These reed type-relays are Relay1ST(-2) operates and Y 11A(l), to battery through resistance R12(1). Relay 11A(l) operates and locks over its Contact 2, to ground over Contact 2 of relay ON( Relay 11A(1) is operated in order to condition the group of relays 11A( l), 11B(l), and 11X( l) preparatory to the recognition of a single initial pulse, which will be absorbed, or of two initial digits of the value of one pulse each, which will indicate that the called number involves an 11X toll directing prefix or special service code where X may be any digit from 2 to 9.

Relay ON( 1), upon operating, operates the steering relay ASG), associated with the register relays A(4) to A7(4), in a circuit extending from ground, over contact 1 of realy ONU), contact il of relay SR( 1), conductor 162, winding of relay ASG), to battery through the resistance R416). Relay ASG) operates and locks over its contact 2, conductor Still, to ground over contact 1 of relay ONU). Relay ASG), upon operating, prepares the register relay networlof Fig. 4 for registration of the lirst digit (unless it be a digit l as above) in the A digit register relays 16(4) to A7(4).

Preparation of originating register for counting digits Subsequent to the seizure by a mai-lier of the originating register and the operation of the off-normal relay GNU) therein with the results effected thereby, as above described, the marker will effect the necessary switching operations to interconnect the calling subscribers line circuit with the seized originating register, whereupon the marker will release. The details of such switching functions may be obtained from the above Busch disclosure. Upon the completion of such interconnectionv a circuit is completed for operating the relay 2(1) from battery, through the upper winding of relay LG), through the lower left winding of the dial tone transformer lllS, over the ring conductor 194 of the trunk link frame switch terminating the originating register, through the switch train to the ring conductor of the call ing line, over the closed line loop, back over the tip conductor of the calling line, through the switch train, over the tip conductor 10? of the trunk link frame switch, through the upper left winding of the dial tone transformer 195, to ground. Relay L(l) operates in the above-traced circuit.

Relay L( 1), upon operating, moves its armature from the normal released position thereof, as shown in contact with contacts 3 and 4 of relay L(1), to the operated position thereof in contact with contacts 1 and 2 of relay LU). Relay SRU) is thereupon operated in a circuit extending from ground, over contact 3 of relay ONU), armature and contact l of relay L(l through the lower low resistance winding of relay L(1), to battery through the winding of relay SRU),

At this point relays ONG), L(1), SRU), ST(2), 11A(1), and ASG) are operated, the latter three relays remaining operated under the control of the off-normal relay ON(l) upon the abovedescribed operation of relay SRU).

A dial tone signal is supplied to the calling subscriber from the source 112 thereof through the right primary winding of the dial tone transformer 165, by induction into the upper and lower left secondary windings of transformer lili, and over the subscribers line by way of the switch train. The subscriber may now dial the digits of the called number.

Absorbl'ng initial digit of one puise lt is well known that when a subscriber dials, the mechanism at his substation produces a momentary open condition in the line loop followed by a closure thereof for each pulse of each digit and that the line closures between pulses of a digit are rnuch shorter in duration than the closures thereof between digits.

If by accident, or otherwise, an initial digit of one pulse is transmitted, the originating register is arranged to absorb this pulse on the assumption that it is trans` 6 mitted or created in error. The circuit is arranged, how` ever, as previously indicated, to recognize a first digit of one pulse followed by a second digit of one pulse as a legitimate indication that a special 11X code is to be transmitted, and prepares itself to register' successive digits.

The structure of the relay L(1) is preferably, but not necessarily, of the mercury contact type similar to the structure of the mercury contact relay disclosed in Patent 2,577,602 to E. T. Burton of December 4, 1951. The armature of relay L(1) is biased towards its contacts 3 and 4 as has been mentioned. This bias, as in the type of relay disclosed by Burton, may be both partly mechanical due to the usual spring and partly magnetic due to the presence of a permanent magnet, if desired, influencing contacts 3 and 4. When relay L( l) is operated, under closed loop conditions, the current ow through the lower winding in series with relay SRU) is arranged to counteract partly the effect of the current owing through the upper winding. This, in elfect, increases the total bias tending to release the armature when relay L(l) is operated. This is to improve the releasing response of relay L( 1 thereby aiding its performance under line conditions which tend to retard the release of relay L(l). The purpose of the middle winding in series with condenser C2( l) is Well known to provide a measure of pulse correction action, as described for instance in Patent 2,029,723 to L. H. Johnson and F. K. Low of February 4, 1936.

Upon the release of relay 1.(1), during the first open loop period of the rst digit, relay RA(1) is operated in a circuit extending from ground, over contact 3 of relay ON(l), armature of relay L(l), contact 3 o-f relay L(l), contact 3 of relay SR( l), to battery through the winding of relay RAG). Relay RA( l), upon operating, completes, at its contact 2, an obvious circuit for discharging any charge which may have been accumulated on condenser C3(1), the importance of which function will be evident from subsequent description. The operating ground for relay RA(1) grounds the left side of the unidirectional current carrying element V( l), which is arranged in the circuit to represent a low impedance shunt across the winding of relay RA(1) when the ground is removed, thereby retarding the release of relay RA(1). Relay RA( 1) remains operated during the interval between pulses of a digit; but, relay RA( 1) will release during the interdigital period. Relay SR( l) remains operated, due to its slow-release characteristic, during open loop periods when relay L(1) is released.

Relay L(l), upon releasing, operates the first counting relay P1( 2) in a circuit extending from ground, over contact 3 of relay ON(1), armature of relay 1,(1), contact 4 of relay L(l), contact 4 of relay SRU), conductor 106, contact 1 of relay ST(2), winding of relay P1(2), to battery through the resistance R1(2). Relay P1(2) operates and locks over its contact 2, conductor 201, contact 5 of relay RA1(1), to ground over contact 2 of relay ON(1).

When relay P1(l) operates at this time, the following functions are performed:

l) the operating ground for relay PM2) on conductor 196 is extended over Contact 1 of relay PM2) to the left side of the winding of relay P2( 2), relay P2(2) not being able to operate because the right side of its winding is shunted to ground over contact 3 of relay ST( 2);

(2) contact 3 of relay PM2) is closed to partly establish a shunting ground circuit (which will be completed when relay L(l) reoperates at the end of the pulse from the armature of relay L(1), contact 2 of relay L(l), conductor 167, contacts 3 of relay P1( 2), to the right side of the winding of relay ST(2)) for releasing relay ST(2) by shunting it down when relay L(l) reoperates; and,

(3) Contact 4 of relay P1(2) is closed to extend ground to the right side of the winding of relay P3(2), thereby to prevent the operation of relay P3(2) when and if relay P2(2) operates during a second pulse.

energ'izedand the -operating circuit for relay, RA(I)is opened; relay'RA(l) remaining operatedl under the control ofelement V(l) as above described. Relay L(I),

upon reoperating, extends 'ground over its contact 2, conductor 107, contact 3 ofrelay P1(2), to the right side-of the Vwin'din'gof relay ST(2)`, thereby shunt releasing relay ST(2). Relay ST(2), upon releasing, removes, at its contact 3, theabove-mentioned ground from thelright side of.

the winding of relay P2( 2), thereby permitting relay P2(2) to operate upon`the next release of relay L(I), if any, representing a second pulse of the'rst digit.

Since it has kbeen assumed that the 'rst digitcontainsone pulse,'relay L(l)' will remain operated 'long enough to permit'relay RA(I) to release. Relay RA(I),l upon releasing, .connects the discharged condenser C3(I) in series, over contact I of relayRA( I with battery through thewindin'g-ofrelay RAMI). Relay RAMI) will be operated by the transient'charging current and will'release when the charging current hasbee'n reduced'below the releasing current value for relay RA1(I), even 'though relay-RA(l) may remain released;

Relay-RAHI), while operated, releases relay PI'(2) by removing ground Afrom conductor 201 and reoperates relay 8'1"(2) by applying ground to conductor 101 over contact-6 of relay RAMI). Relay ST(2), as before, locks to oi-normalground Aon conductor 20u; Relay RAMI), while operated,completes a circuit for operating relay IIBU) from ground, over contact l of relay RAI(I), contact I of relay P2A(I), contact I of relay IIA(I), to battery through the windingV of relay IIB`(I).' Relay 11B (I) operates and locks over its contact 2, to off-normal ground overcontact 2 'offrelay ON(I). The operating ground for relay 11B(l) is extended over contact l of relay.. IIB(I) to the left side'ot the winding of relay IIX(I), but the latterrelay cannot operate because the right'side of ,its-winding is shunted to ground over con` When relay RA1(I)y releases, relay IIA(I) is shuntreleased by ground, over contact 2 of relay RAMI), contact 3 of. relayP2A(I), contact 3V of relay 11B(1), to the right side of the windingof relay 11A(l). Relay HAU), upon releasing, removes at its contact 3 the shunting ground on the right side10f the windingrof relay IIX(I) so that the latter may operate if the second digit is also composed of onlyr one pulse. During the interval following the releaseof relayRA(I) and endingk with the subsequent operation of lrelay RA1(,I), ground -is applied over contact y4 of relay RA( I contact 4 of relay RAI( I conductor 4Ii9,`conta`ct4` of `relayAS(3), conductor 301 to the left sides -of-thewindings -of relays \A(4Q to A7(4);

While'v this1 ground increases Vthecurrent owing in theirv windings, such current is not-increasedto the:-operate valueforsuch lrelays and none'ofxtheir' relays operate.:

Thus it will bte-appreciated that the counting ofthe digit I as an initial digit has not aiected the digit registers 0f Fig. f

4 andhas'in factbeenabso-rbed.

An 11X' code lf the second digit is also merely composed of one pulse,

this is assurnedfnot to be anaccidentibut'is assumed to be,

the second of'two'initial digitspreceding a third digit of mentarily, )again releases relay PM2), reoperates and locks'relay'ST(2), and operates relay IIX(I) in a circuit extending from ground, 'over contact I of relay RAMI), Contact il 'of'relay PEAU), contact 1 of relay MBU),

. throughthe winding of relay IIXU), to battery through Relay IIXU) operates and loc is' the resistance R3(l). over its contact to olf-normal ground over Contact 2 of relay ON(I). Relays IIBU) and IIXU) remain opererated to inform themarker at a later time, through the `medium of other contacts (not shown) on relay IIXU),

that this is an IIX code call.

When relay RAMI) releases the circuits will be prepared to receive the X digit of 2 to 9 which will be han' dled by the counting and registering circuits as though it Ywere an initial digit. As will be shown hereinafter, when a digit of two pulses or greater is counted, relay P2A(I) will be operated and locked to oit-normal ground thereby disabling, at its contacts I and 3, the above-described initial one-pulse digitabsorption andsIIX features.

Counting, Steering and registering )rsdz'gt (exclusive of a 1 0r un 11 prejx or an IIl prex, is one containing two pulses and that therefore the second pulse will be received by relay L(I) before relay RA( l) can release.

When relay L(I) releases in response to the second open loop period of the second pulse, relay RA( l) is reenergized as before to insure its remaining operated. Relay L(I), upon releasing, operates counting relay P2(2) in a circuit vextending from ground, over contact .3 of relay ON(1), armature of relay L(l)', contact 4 of relay yL(I), contact 4 of relay SR(I), pulsing conductor lille, contact I of relay PM2), winding of relay P2(2), to battery through` the resistance R2(2). Relay P2(2) operates and locks over its contact 2, conductor 201, contact 5 of relay RAMI), to ground over contact 2 of relay ON(I).

When relay P2( 2) operates the following functions are performed:

(I) the operating ground for relay P2(2) on conductor 106 is extended over contact I of relay P2(2) to the left side of the winding of relay P3(2), relay P3(2) not being able to operate because the right side of its winding is shunted to ground over contact 4 of relay PI(2);

(2) Contact 3 of relay P2(2) is closed to partly establish a shunting ground circuit (which will be completed over conductor 107 when relay L(I) reoperates at the end of the pulse) for shunt-releasing relay PI(2) when relay L(I) reoperates;

(3) Contact i of relay P2(2) is closed to extend ground to the right side of the winding of relay P4(2), thereby to prevent the operation of relay P4(2) when and if relay P3`(2) operates during a third pulse; and,

(4)Contact 4 of relay P2`(2) ygrounds a circuit for"- operating relay P2A(I) extending from ground, over contact 4 of'relay P2(2), conductor 292, contact 6 of relay P2A(I), to battery through the winding of relay P2A(l), whereupon relay P2A(I) operates and locks over its contact 7 'to olf-normal ground over contact 2 of relay ON( I When-relay L('I) reoperates at the end of thesecond pulse, relay PM2) is shunt-released by ground, over contact 2 of relay L(I), conductor 197, contact 3 of relay P2(2), to the right side of relay PM2).

At the end of the digit, relay RA(I) releases as above described to operate relay RAMI) momentarily as also described previously. During the interval of time inherently necessary for any relay to operate there will be a short period of time when the back contacts 3 and 14 of relay RA (I) are closed and the back contacts 3 and 4 of relay RAMI) are also closed, due to the inherent operating time of relay RAMI).

During this' interval the digit Z which has been counted by the counting chain of Fig. 2 must be steered to and registered in the A digit register relays A(4) to A7 (4). As .f/ill be appreciated, the digit value as counted is represented by one operated relay, such as relay P2(2), out of ten such relays; whereas, the digit registers of Fig. 4 are arranged to register digits on a tWo-ou't-of-five code basis, which code is illustrated by the table below, taking the A digit register as an example:

Digit Relays Operated Relays Operated A0(4)-Aid) rior/odiati) A1 (in-A2M) A0(4)-Atti) Ano-Ano From an inspection of Fig. 4 it will be appreciated that the relays A0(4) to H0(4) can be operated over conductor relays AI(4) to HI(4) over conductor 401, relays such as A2(4) over conductor 402, relay A4(4) over conductor 584, and relay A(4) over conductor 467. These iive conductors are connected to contacts or the counting relays such that upon the operation of one of such relays, say relay P2(2), only two conductors of the live will be arranged to have battery applied thereto as Will be explained. Needless to say the two conductors energized will conform to the above code according to the digit represented by the counting relay operated. Battery is supplied over contact or" relay P2A(1), contact 3 of relay RAMI), contact 3 of relay RAG), conductor 168, contacts and 6 of relay P2(2), to conductors and 492. Battery on conductors 400 and 402 is extended to the right sides of all relays A0(4) to H?(4) and A2(4) to H2(4). At the same time ground is supplied over contact 4 ot relay RA(1), contact 4 of relay RAMI), conductor 169, contact 4 of the A digit steering relay AS( 3), conductor Siti?. to the left sides of all of the A digit register relays At3(4) to 1li/(4). Thus the only register relays of Fig. 4 which are supplied by both solid ground and solid battery are relays A0(4) and A2(4). These relays thereupon operate to register the first digit, exclusive of a I or an 11 prefix, the current through these relays being referred to as the operate current. The increases of current through the relays A1(4), A4(4), A7(4), B0(4) to Ht(4) and B2(4) to H2(4) are not sutiicient to operate these others and such current is referred to as the non-operate current.

When relay RAMI) operates momentarily, as a result of the previously described charging of condenser (23(1), the above-described solid battery and solid ground supplies for the register relays of Fig. 4 are opened at contacts 3 and 4 of relay RAMI). The current flowing in the windings of relays A0(4) and A2(4) therefore drops to the previously described holding current value as limited by resistance R21(4) in the ground supply over conductor i) and by resistances R35(4) and R33(4) in the battery supplies. This current is insufficient to operate a relay of Fig. 4 but is suliicient to hold operated any such relays, such as relays A0(4) and A2(4), which have been operated.

Relay RAMI), upon operating as previously described, releases relay "132(2) and reoperates and locks relay STO) preparatory to counting the next digit.

Relay RAMI), upon operating, advances the steering circuit of Fig. 3 to permit the operation of the B register relays according to the next digit. Relay BS(3) is operated in a circuit extending from ground, over contact I of relay RAMI), contact 2 of relay P2A(l), conductor 110, contact I of relay AS(3), Winding of relay BS( 3), to battery through resistance R42(3), and relay BS(3) locks over its Contact 2 to oli-normal ground on conductor 3530. As Was the above-described case with the operating of counting relays of Fig. 2, the operation of relay BS(3) accomplishes the following functions:

(1) prepares at its contact 1 a circuit for operating 10 relay CS(3) at the end of the second digit registration, relays CS(3) not being able to operate at this time because of the ground shunt on the right side of its winding from contact 3 of relay AS(3);

(2) prepares at its contact 3 a circuit for shunt-releasing relay AS( 3) upon the release of relay RAI( l);

(3) grounds at its contact 4 the right side of the winding of relay BS(3) to prevent the operation of relay BS(3) when and if relay CS(3) operates later; and,

(4) prepares a'; its contact 5 a circuit for operating the B digit register relays B0(4) to B7 (4) according to the pulse count registered in the counting relays of Fig. 2 at the end of the second digit.

Upon the eventual release of relay RAI( l), at the end of the transient period above described, relay AS(3) is shunt-released by ground, over contact 2 of relay RAI( l), contact 4 of relay P2A(1), conductor 111, over contact 3 of relay BS(3) to the right side of the Winding of relay ASG). Relay AS(3), upon releasing, removes at its Contact 3 the previous ground shunt on the right side of the Winding of relay CS(3), thereby enabling relay CS(3) to operate over contact 1 of relay BS(3) at the end of the second digit. Relay AS(3), upon releasing, opens, at its contact 4, the circuit including conductor 301 to prevent any undesired effects upon relays A0(4) to A7(4) upon subsequent grounding of conductor 109 for registering purposes.

The A digit, assumed to be 2, has now been registered in relays Ati(4) and A2(4), the digit-steering circuit of Fig. 3 has been advanced preparatory to registering the second digit, the pulse counting circuit of Fig. 2 has been restored to normal, and the interdigital timing relay RAM) and auxiliary relay RAMI) have been released so that the entire circuit is prepared to receive, count, steer, and register the second digit.

Counting, steering and registering the second digit Let it be assumed that the second digit is composed of three pulses. in the manner described above regarding the iirst digit of two impulses, relay L(l) will release and reoperate in response to each pulse.

Upon the release of relay L(I), responsive to the open loop period of the first pulse, relay RAG) reoperated as above described thereby opening the operating circuits for the register relays of Fig. 4 and discharging condenser C3( 1 ri`he rst release of relay L(1) operates and locks operated relay PM2) as aboved described. Upon the reoperation of relay 1(1), at the end of the rst pulse, relay S(2) is shunt-released.

Upon the release of relay L(l), responsive to the open loop period of the second pulse, relay P2(2), is operated and locked, the operated relay PM2) preventing relay P3(2) from also operating as above described. At the end of the second pulse, when relay L(l) reoperates, relay PM2) is shunt-released thereby conditioning relay PM2) for operation during the third pulse, if any.

When relay L(l) releases during the third pulse, relay P3(2) is operated in a circuit extending from ground, over Contact 3 of relay ONU), armature of relay L(l`), contact i of relay Ml), contact 4 of relay SRU), conductor M55, contact I of relay 92(2), Winding of relay P3(2), to battery through resistance ESQ). Relay P3(2) operates and locks over its contact 2 to off-normal ground on conductor 2121. Relay 94(2) cannot operate at this time due to the ground shunt on the right side of its winding from Contact 4 of relay P2(2). Relay P3(2), upon operating, applies ground over its contact 4 to the right side of the winding of relay P(2) to prevent the operation of the latter should relay P4(2) be operated in response to a fourth pulse. Relay P3(2), upon operating, also prepares at its contact 3 a shunt circuit for shunt-releasing relay PM2) upon the reoperation of relay L(l) at the end of the third pulse.

When relay L(1) reoperates at the end of the third pulse, relay P2(2) is shunt-released. When relay L(l) remainsoperate'd fora lengthof time which indicates an interdig'ita'l pause; relay RAG) releases as above described.

Upon the 'release'ofrelay RAG), and prior to the momentary operation of relay 'RAl(l), ground is applied over'lcontactl of'relayRAU), contact 4 of 'relay lAlG), conductor 169; 'contact of relay BSG), conductor 35u25,

to the left sidesiof"relay'Bll(4) to VB7(4),' and battery is applied over `contact 5 f relay P2A(l), contact 3 of relay RA1(l), contact3 of' relay RAG); conductor lili?, contacts 5 and;6 ofrelay'P3(2), conductors dill and 462, to therightsidesof relays A1(4) to BH4) and A2(4) to H2(4). 'As previouslyexplained,"all ofthe relays Bil(4) to B7(4) will carry increased-currentdue to the solid ground applied to the'left sides'of their windings over conductor SilZand'alll of'the relays'Al(-".) to`H'l(4) and A2(4) Ytoi-12(4) will carryincreased current due to the solid battery appliedto Vthe Vrightv sides or" their windings over 'conductors'401f and 4662. Only relays BH4) and B2(4) have the Vbenefit of both increases, thereby increasing-fthe current flowing 'therethrougl'tl to the operate value; whereupon'relays BH4) and B2(4) operate. The remaining relays, such as Btl(4), B4(4), 37(4), Al(4), C1(4)-tof-Hl(4);=and.C2(4) to H2(4),'carry increases or" current-only of the non-operate value and will not operate." Relay' A2(4)is already operated responsive to thev registration of -the iirst digit 2, and will remain operated.

As soon as relay RAMI) operates'momentarily, relay P3 (.2 )Tis released and relay STU) is reoperated and locked as before to return'thecounting chain of Fig. 2 to normal preparatorytoregistering the third digit.

Relay RAlU), upon operating, removes the solid ground andbattery fromv the operating circuits of the register 'relays of Fig. 4 whereupon relays AdM), Al(4) B1(4)'and1l32(4) remain operated due to the holding current flowing therethrough as limitedl by resistances R(4), R34(4), R33(4), R2l(4), and 3.2.2(4).

Relay RAS;(1), upoiroperating, advances the steering relays of Fig. 3. v Relay CS(3) operates in a circuit extend ing from ground, over contact l of relay RAU), contact 2 ci relay P2A(l), conductor lli), contact il of relay BSO), windingot relay CSG), to battery through resistance R438). Relay (25(3) locks over its contact 2 to oil-normal ground on conductor 33d). Relay DSG) cannot-operate at this time because the right side of its winding is shuntedto ground over contact d of relay BS(3)-.

Relay CS('3), upon operating, performs the following functions:

(l) at its contact l. prepares the operating circuit for relay DS(3) to be completed at the end of the third digit;

(2) at its contact 3 prepares the releasing shunt for relay BSG) to be completed when relay RAlU) re leases;

(3) at its contact 4 applies ground to the right side of the winding of relay ESO) to prevent the operation thereof .when relay DS(3) operates at thel end of the third digit; and,

(4) at its contact 5 prepares the circuit whereby the C digit will be registered in the relay group @3(4) 'to C7 4).

Upon the release'l oi relay RAND, at the end of the transient periodl of operation, relayl 35(3) is shuntreleased in an manner similar to that previously described in connection with the release of relay AS(3).

All of the circuits are now in condition for receiving, counting,` steering, Jand registerin7 the next digit. not considered necessary to repeat the aboye description for the' lsucceeding digits, since the operation of the circuits is the same. Any number of digits may 'be counted, steered,and registered in this manner, Vprovision foi-'eight suchdigits (ericlu'sive of a l cr ll prefix) having been shown.

Release of originating register When sui-licient digits have-been registered to warrantV the seizure of a marker-for completing the desired conf nection,a marker start-seizure circuit (not shown) is completed in a manner similar-to-that describedl by Dehn or Busch, previously'identied.-As will be' appreciated, one of the steering relays AS(3) to HSG) operates as an indication that the preceding digit has been registered. For instance, relay BS(3) operates after the rst digit has been registered, relay CS( 3) operates after the second digit has been registered, etc., and relay IlS(3) operates to indicate that the seventh digit has been registered. As described by Dehn or-Busch, the rnarkeiseizure may be elected under the' control of such steering relays, for instance upon the operation of relay HSG) as an indication that a full seven-digit number has been registered.L

lf the marker seizure start circuit should need to be completed at an earlier stage for liX codes, it is of course obvious that the operation of relay llXU) can close such .a circuit in cooperation with relay 38(3), the

latter relay operating as an indication that the X digit is registered in the -A digit register of Fig. 4. Numerous other combinationsof such start signal may be produced as will be apparent from Dehn and Busch.

When the marker is seized, the information registered in Fig. 4, along lwith other information of no particular' importance to the present invention, is transferred to register relays in the ymarker circuit as indicated at the bottom'of Fig. 4, To Manier?? When the `seizecl'ma'rker is satisiied, by suitable welllinown check circuits, that it has received all of the necessary information from the originating register circuit, the

off-normal relay ON(1) in the latter circuit is released, f thereby releasing the entire originating register circuit to normal.

lt is Vto be understood that the above-described l ar-v rangements are-merely illustrative of the application of the principles of the invention. Numerous other arrangements may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

What i-s claimed is: l. ln a register circuit, a plurality of relay windings arranged into rst groups each including a number of different windings and arranged into second groups each including a number of windings each one from a dilerent f irst group, a rst resistance for each first group, a second resistance for eachl'second group, one side of each winding of each'lirst group'connectedv through its associated rst resistance to apotentialv of one'magnitude, the othersideof'feach winding of each second group connected through its associatedA second resistance to a potential of a different magnitude, whereby each winding carries a holding current limited by both a rst and a second resistance,vsaidlholding current being insu'icientto'operate a relay but'suicient'toihold a relay operated,

means for selectively and momentarily applying'said onev potential directly to thesaid one side of all windings of' any one'rst group and for'selectively and momentarily and concurrently applying said different potential directly to said OthersdesOf all windings of one or more second groups, whereby only windingstcommon to said'latter mentioned first group and s'ecnd group or groups carry increased current sulc-ient to operate the relays associated with saidr common windings, said operated relays re-` maining loperated-due to'said holding current after they 13 ro a potential of one magnitude, the other side of each winding of each ysecond group connected through its associated second resistance to a potential of a different magnitude, whereby each winding carries a holding current limited by both a rst and a second resistance, said holding current being insufficient to operate a relay but snilicient to hold a relay operated, means for selectively and momentarily applying said one potential directly to tbe said one side of all windings of any one rst group and for selectively and momentarily and concurrently applying said different potential directly to said other sides of all windings of a combination of second groups, whereby only said combination of windings of said one 14 rst group carry increased current sucient to operate the associated combination of relays, said operated relays remaining operated due to said holding current after the lapse of said momentary period.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,816,496 Ritter et al. July 28, 1931 1,915,566 Younghusband June 27, 1933 2,142,106 Boswau Jan. 3, 1939 2,146,576 Haselton, et a1. Feb. 7, 1939 2,257,361 Yorkey Sept. 30, 1941 2,352,742 Soffel July 4, 1944 

